Human Formation

We had a marvellous OCDS National Council meeting Monday and yesterday at Wistaston Hall near Crewe.  It is run by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, who keep it in an impeccable state.  Everywhere is spotless and beautifully presented.  There has been a building on the site since the time of William the Conqueror and the Walthall family resided there for three hundred years until 1922.  The Oblates took over in 1943.  Their founder was St Eugene de Mazenod (1782-1861).  I found this quotation from the founder. ‘We must lead men to act like human beings, first of all, and then like Christians, and, finally, we must help them to become saints.’  This interests me because one of the important topics that came up at our meeting was that of formation in Carmel, and in particular human formation.  It was observed that when the idea of human formation is mentioned, some people think immediately of psychiatrists or psychotherapists.  However, personal growth – if I may call it that – should occur by the grace of Carmel as a person navigates the Promises.  Some years ago one of my fellow Carmelites complained of a person whose Carmelite vocation was under discussion, ‘She hasn’t changed!’ – meaning that certain negative aspects to her character evident in our meetings had not been ironed out.  Our growing closeness to our saints and our inner spiritual development should impact our psychology profoundly – I know it has done in my case.  But of course this is a matter of years rather than days or weeks.

Intercessions

Pope Leo as he recovers from his operation for cancer.

Deborah - illness

Cancer: Brian Davis, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Catherine, Alex (43 with five children), Theresa K, Elena

Ivy – sick child

Brian (recovering from Pneumonia)

Kevin (heart attack)

William Gove (in recovery)

Illness:  Katy Keeling, Noreen

David OCDS – housebound

Grace – troubling ailments, job difficulties, family (deceased mother and health of father)

Mark – brain infection

Michael, Kira – vulnerable youngsters

Defence of the unborn and the elderly